22. GUNS

The defences at Queenscliff and elsewhere around Port Phillip were developed in the second half of the 19th century, to protect Melbourne and its outlying settlements from invasion by hostile foreign powers. These hostile powers were, at various times, identified as the French, the Russians and, at one stage during the American Civil War, the United States. Fort Queenscliff was developed as an enclosed battery armed with heavy-calibre cannons on Shortland's Bluff.

Facing out to sea, and in an arc around the black lighthouse, are four 68 pound, muzzle-loading cannon.

Further south we come to a gun emplacement containing a disappearing gun. The nearby sign tells us that this is an 8" ‘Disappearing ’ Gun from 1888, mounted on a hydro pneumatic carriage. It was recovered from the South Channel fort and installed here in 1981 – 1982. The idea was that the shell would be loaded into the breech while the gun was in a lowered position and out of enemy view. The gun was then raised hydraulically to fire.